A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mandalay vs. Khao Yai National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mandalay or Khao Yai National Park?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mandalay or Khao Yai National Park, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Mandalay or Khao Yai National Park?

Mandalay

Located in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) on the banks of the Irawaddy River, Mandalay is the nation's second largest city behind Yangon. It is centered on the restored Royal Palace and has a large population of Buddhist monks who frequent the city's many temples and monasteries.

Khao Yai National Park

Adventurous travelers are always in search of new terrain to conquer. At over 2,000 square kilometers, Khao Yai National Park is Thailand's second largest national park, and just full of jungles to trek through. In the southwest of Thailand is a sanctuary of mountains and waterfalls.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Thailand, and The Best Eco Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Khao Yai National Park or Mandalay?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mandalay is $15, while the average daily cost in Khao Yai National Park is $62. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Mandalay and Khao Yai National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mandalay $8.65
    Khao Yai National Park $36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mandalay $17
    Khao Yai National Park $72
Compare Hotels in Mandalay and Khao Yai National Park

Looking for a hotel in Mandalay or Khao Yai National Park? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Mandalay


Hotels in Khao Yai National Park


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mandalay -
    Khao Yai National Park $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mandalay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Mandalay:

  • Private Transfer Of Mandalay To Bagan: $150
  • Private Mandalay Airport Transfer: $27
  • Private Land Transfer : Mandalay to Bagan: $139
  • Mandalay To Bagan Transfer Tour: $150
  • Inle [Heho] Airport Private Transfer : $46
  • Inle Lake Land transfer from Mandalay: $213
  • From Private Transfer to Bagan: $150
  • Around Mandalay in 2 Day and Next Day to Transfer Bagan: $200
  • Airport Transfer, Paleik Snake Pagoda, a little bit of Bagan and to AVA: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Mandalay or Khao Yai National Park?

Prices for flights to both Khao Yai National Park and Mandalay change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Mandalay $5.95
    Khao Yai National Park $17

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mandalay

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Mandalay.

  • Myanmar traditional cooking class with local: $26
  • Bamboo Bike Food Tour: $42
  • Bicycle Food Tour in Mandalay: $45

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mandalay -
    Khao Yai National Park $8.77

Tours and Activities in Mandalay

Here are a few actual costs in Mandalay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1-night in Pyin Oo Lwin next day to Gokteik tour: $226
  • Kayah Villages Full Day Tour (Pan Pet & Hta Nee La): $260
  • 2 Days Private Tour in Mandalay: $176
  • A Little Adventure Village Explore: $17
  • Adventure Road Trip from Mandalay to Monywa – Bagan : $174
  • Amarapura,Mingun,Sagaing,Innwa Sightseeing Tour: $85
  • Ancient Capitals of Myanmar Tour: $106
  • Around Mandalay Tour in 2 Days : $100
  • Day Tour Of Mingun/Sagaing/Amarapura: $75
  • Full Day Adventure: $153
  • Half day to Mandalay city tour: $65
  • Half-Day Private Tour to Mingun: $48

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mandalay -
    Khao Yai National Park $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandalay and Khao Yai National Park, we can see that Khao Yai National Park is more expensive. And not only is Mandalay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mandalay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandalay and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Khao Yai National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Khao Yai National Park than you might in Mandalay.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mandalay Expensive? and Is Khao Yai National Park Expensive?.